Minnesota Goalie Makes 89 Saves In Epic High School Hockey Thriller
This is one for the Minnesota High School Hockey history books, as the Blaine Bengals and the Anoka Tornadoes played through 6 overtimes.
The Bengals took on the Tornadoes in the Minnesota girl's Class 2A Section 7 Quarterfinals on Thursday, February 9th, 2023. The epic showdown took place at the Fogerty Ice Arena in Blaine.
Not only was this the second-longest game in girls' hockey state history, but Blaine outshot Anoka with 91 shots compared to their 50. That means Anoka's goalie Gretchen Paacerud made an impressive 89 saves in one game. This past December, the junior goalie made her 1000th career save for the Tornadoes.
The game was tied about halfway through the second period and stayed that way for what probably felt like forever. Kayla Shafer from Blaine made the game-winning goal at 10:29 of the sixth overtime. Hats off to both teams who played their hearts out.
How close was this game from being the longest game in girls' hockey state history? Back in 2016 was another six-overtime thriller. In the Class 2A Section 3 Quarterfinals that had East Ridge defeated Apple Valley 3-2. That game lasted 121 minutes and 58 seconds.
Over on the boy's side of things, the longest game in boys state hockey history lasted 11 overtimes. I couldn't imagine playing 6 overtimes, let alone 11. It happened in 1955 when Minneapolis South defeated the Thief River Falls Prowlers 3-2.
In recent memory, the longest game in boys' history belongs to the shown of Apple Valley and Duluth East in 1996. The game went to five overtimes, with
The longest game in boys' state tournament history is a five-overtime game between Apple Valley and Duluth East in 1996. The Eagles overcame the Greyhounds 5-4, and even went on to win the state championship that year.
Speaking of the Tornados and the Prowlers, check out the most unusual Minnesota high school mascots below:
32 Unusual Minnesota High School Mascots You Won't Believe Are Real